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A hard fought second place for Adam Yates in Milano Torino

The 98th edition of Milano Torino today saw Adam Yates fight all the way up the final part of the Suprega climb to claim second place for ORICA-SCOTT.

Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) launched a solo attack inside the last three kilometres, as Yates fought on relentlessly behind in an attempt to close the distance to the Colombian.

As every metre ticked down, Yates drew closer and closer to Uran but the line came too soon and Yates had to settle for second place, crossing the finish line just ten seconds behind.

Sport director Dave McPartland praised the young British riders efforts on what was a close and exciting finale in Torino.

“It wasn’t a win but Adam rode a really good race and the best thing about today is the indication of his form ahead of Saturday’s monument,” McPartland said. “In hindsight Adam should have gone with Uran’s attack but you can’t go with everyone and it becomes a tactical thing then, once somebody has gone up the road.”

“He was riding well all day and the guys set him up in a good position coming into the climb for the first time. He was a little bit isolated on the last lap but once (Julian) Alaphilippe (Quickstep-Floors) got away, other team’s had more numbers and rode to bring it back so it worked out ok for us.

“Once Uran established the gap it was down to Adam to just give everything he could to try and get across. He gave it his all and we can be happy with the result, his effort and form.”

How it happened:

The oldest classic, Milano Torino, began with numerous attacks and multiple riders trying to get into the day’s breakaway.

After 25kilometres of racing a breakaway of four riders establishing and they opened up a gap of over five minutes. Karl Patrick Lauk (Astana), Guillaume Bonnafond (Cofidis), Gregory Rast (Trek-Segafredo) and Simone Andreetta (Bardiani-CSF) found a steady tempo and worked well together to remain out front for the majority of the race.

As the peloton approached Torino and the first ascent of the Suprega climb, a 4.9kilometre climb with an average gradient of nine percent reaching a maximum steep gradient of 14percent, the peloton began to draw in on the four leaders as their advantage plummeted to just over two minutes with 35kilometres to go.

Once the riders started the first ascent of the Suprega the breakaway riders were swallowed up and the main peloton significantly reduced as the attacks began.

With 19kilometres to go Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep-Floors) launched a solo attack and led the final lap but was finally caught before the final ascent.

Attacks came immediately again on the climb, but it was Uran who produced a well-timed attack and led the final three kilometres solo.

Yates was able to jump across to two chasers Fabio Aru (Astana) and Egan Arley Bernal (FDJ) and quickly drop them as he battled on solo towards Uran.

In the end, Yates crossed the line in second place with Uran holding on for the victory in the one-day Italian race.